Drop for forging metals



E. K. ROOT.

Drop Hammer.

'. Patgmed Nov. 9, 1,858.

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E. K. ROOT, OF HARTFORD; CONNECTICUT.

DROP FOR FORGING METALS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 22,034, dated November 9, 1858.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, E. K. Roo'r, of Hartford, in the county of Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drops for F orging Metals; and I do hereby declare that the vfollowing is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making part of this specification, and in which- Figure l, represents a side elevation of my improved drop. Fig. 2, represents a vertical section through the center of the same. Fig. 3 represents a horizontal section at a, Fig. l. Fig. el, represents a. horizontal section at i y, Fig. l. Fig. 5 represents the hammer in a series of positions, in vertical section. Fig'. (i represents an isometrical perspective of one of the hammers. Fig. 7, represents a skeleton view of working mechanism of the hammer; Fig. 8, a perspective View of hollow piston or carriage and its attachments, and Fig. 9, a partial vertical section of post and shipping bar.

The nature of my invention consists in the method of elevating the hammers by means of reciprocating, perforated, straps, acting upon spring bolts in the hammers and in connection with retaining ratchets and pawls substantially as hereinafter described; and my invention further consists in the use on the reciprocating strap which lifts the hammer of an adjustable, disengaging shoe, which, strikes the end of the bolt in the hammer and pushes it back or out of contact with the hammer; and in arranging on' the hammer a. retaining latch to keep the said bolt out of contact with the reciprocating strap in order that the hammer may freely descend as hereinafter more fully described; and my invention further con'- sists in forming in the sides of the vertical posts or frame pieces ofthe machine, a series of retaining notches into which the pawls of the hammer bite, and whereby the hammer is retained at any desirable height, and in combining wit-h theretaining notches in the post a sliding ratchet bar, by which the pawls of the hammer may be thrown and kept out of engagement with the retaining notches, in order that the hammer may descend, as will be hereinafter fully described; and my invention further consists in the employmenton the hammer of an angular lever (as hereinafter described), or other equivalent device, whereby the spring bolt of the hannner may be thrown and locked back, or out of engagement, with the reciprocating strap at any point in its ascent, irrespective of the location of the disengaging shoe for purposes hereinafter fully set forth.

To enable those skilled to make and use my improved drop I will proceed' to describe its construction and operation, referring by letter to the accompanying drawings ;-similar letters denoting (fthe same parts in the diHerent views.

A, A, &c., represent the four posts or col` umns of the machine, which are supported by and locked intoV a suitable base block B, and which are embraced at their upper ends by a cap plate, C, to which they are properly secured by bolts or otherwise; said cap plate is constructed with a hollow hub, E, projecting above and below, see Fig. l, (or said hub may be formed on a separate plate, and bolted to said cap plate, see Figs. 2 and 8,) which forms a cylindrical box, or tubular bearing, for a hollow piston I, to the bottom of which is pivoted by astud D, the l lower end of the connecting rod or link H; the upper end of said rod, being coupled to the crank F, the shaft F, of which, receives ,its bearings in suitable boxes, a, m, formed in the stands D, D, projecting upward from fthe cap plate, C. At the inner corner of `each of the posts A, are arranged two vertical strips or ways, a', a, which are adjustedv by bolts, f, f, as will be presently described), and` secured to said posts by corner block or shoes, 02 and bolts, e.

I, I, &c., represent the hammers, or drops, one of which is arranged between each pair of vertical ways, a', a', (see Fig. 4) in such manner that it may freely slide up and down, without moving laterally; in the lower side of each hammer' I. is arranged and properly secured the die, Z, or portion of die, with which it is desired to make an impression, while on the base block B, at a point vertically under the die, Z, is placed and secured the other portion of the die, ZJ', (or anvil, as the case may require.)

C. is a stand supported in a horizontal position between the four posts A, at a short distance above the top of the base block B; in this stand are formed four vertical mortises, or openings through which freely move up and down, and which constitute bearings for, the lower ends of the four reciprocating lifting straps K, (see Figs. 2 and 3), the upper ends of said lifting straps K, being secured to the bottom of the hollow piston or carriage I, (see Figs. 2 and 8), which has a vertical reciprocating motion, (which is of course imparted to all of the straps K.)

I, represents the four hammers or drops all of which being similar the following description may relate to any one: Near the upper side of the hammer (which is represented as being rectangular in its form) passes through it centrally from front to back a bolt or bar t, against the outer end of which is exerted a continual pressure b-y a spring, m, (see Figs. 2 and 6,) and in one side of which, near the end adjacent to the spring, is cut a vertical slot, s, adapted to receive the end of a retaining latch, In, which is forced in at certain times by the action of a spring, o, in its rear. A short distance below the bolt, J5, a small rock shaft or spindle, fa, passes through the hammer from side to side, and has secured on either end a retaining pawl or finger, w, (see Figs. 1 and 6). Against the front of one of said pawls, w, presses a spring, y), which, (in consequence of the spindle turning, freely in its bearing and both pawls being secured thereto) keeps both pawls, fw, w, into the notches N, N, in the post A. The straps K, of which there are four, are all similar, consisting simply of a straight bar, perforated by a series of rectangular holes to receive the end of the bolt, t. The peculiar form of t-he perforations Z2, Z2, will be best understood from the drawings (see Figs. 2 and 8). Z, are the adjustable disengaging shoes, which are made to slide readily on the straps K, upon which they are secured at any point desired by a set screw s2, passing through the rear and against the strap, these shoes, Z, it will be seen from the drawing, are so formed as to constitute awedge, which passes down behind the end of bolt, t, and forces it back, as, and for purposes, hereinafter described.

7a2, is an angle lever, pivoted at its cro-tch to the face of the hammer by a stud pin, U, and the face, of the upper end, of which, acts upon the friction roll, or pin, on the side of the bolt, t, and causes said bolt to move back through the hammer, when the lower end of the angle lever, is depressed, for the convenience of doing which, a shortchain, (or other suitable attachment) may be fastened to the lower end of said lever.

L, represents four sliding bars, which are fitted so as to slide freely up and down, in slots, formed in the posts, A. Said bars are retained laterally, by pins passing from the post A, through slots, cut longitudinally in said bars, so that their outward edges remain always Hush, with the faces of the posts A, and are supported vertically in then-respective slots, by spiral spring, c, the upper ends of which are secured to the Linder side of the cap plate, C, and their lower, fastened to projecting ears, d, on the top of the bars L; said bars, are constructed with a series of notches N, in their front, or outer, edges, which, when the bars are in their normal position coincide exactly with the notches in posts A. The connecting link H, is furnished with a strap, G, at its upper end and is secured to the crank F, by a gib and key, Zi, in the usual manner.

The frame of the machine being constructed and the several parts arranged and secured together as hereinbefore described, and shown in the drawings, the operation may be described as follows: The ways a', a',

being first adjusted to the grooves, (see Fig. G), of the hammers, so that the latter may just slide freely between them, motion is imparted to the rotary crank shaft F (in either direction) which through the medium of the connecting rod or link H, (coupled as before described) causes the hollow piston, or carriage I, to reciprocate vertically in its case or bearing E, and impart to the lifting straps K, connected before described) to the lower end of said carriage, the required up and down motion or vertical stroke. It will be observed that the perforations, 2, 2, in said straps K, are distant from each other in the same ratio as the notches N, N, in the posts opposite them; and said straps are so adjusted in the machine, that at each stroke upward, each perforation, 2, shall move from a point a little below one of the notches, N, to a point a little above the next one, to insure the lifting of the hammer, from one retaining notch N, to another. It will also be understood that the pawls, w, w, are so relatively located with the bolt, Z, that when said pawls are locked into a notch, N, the bolt, t, is just being' forced back by the descent of the strap, ready to receive a fresh hold.

The action of the mechanism for raising and discharging the hammer, will be best understood by reference to Fig. 5, where, a partial vertical section is shown of the hammer in a series of positions, marked Pos. l, 2, 3, and 4t; at Pos. it, the hammer is supposed to have just fallen, or descended; the bolt, t, being locked back by the retaining latch, n. In this condition of the hammer the bolt, is released from the hold of the latch n, by the operator; when it immediately is forced inward by the pressure of the spring m, until its inner end strikes and keeps in contact with the strap, 7c; immediately one of the perforations 2, for instance 3, comes opposite the end of bolt, t, the latter is caused by the spring m, to shoot into said hole; the strap now reversing its direction of motion, lifts the hammer I, by its bolt t, until the pawls w, click into the first retaining notch as seen at Pos. 3, where the strap is represented as having again reversed, being now descending; so soon as the perforation, 2, arrives lopposite the end of the bolt, t, said bolt will shoot into it as seen at Pos. 2 where the strap is supposed to be movingl upward, carrying the hammer, the pawls, fw, almost ready to drop into the retaining notch a2 (as seen at Pos. 1') thus the operation is continued, or repeated, until the hammer has been carried, or caused to climb, to the required height, being lifted, at each upward stroke of the strap K, from one retaining notch N., to the next, and supported by the pawls 10, in notches N, during each descent or downward stroke of the said strap; when the hammer has arrived at the required height or to that retainingl notch from which it is desired it should fall, the disengaging shoe, Z, co-mes down past the inner end of bolt t, and forces it back. until the spring retaining latch, a, drops into the slot, s, as illustrated at Pos. 1; whereby said bolt is thrown completely out of gear with the strap K, and remains supported by the retaining notches, N, and pawls, w, and unaffected by the remaining portions of the machine, until liberated; which liberation is accomplished in the following manner: The hammer being supposed to be supported by the retaining notch N, (as seen at Fig. l) the bolt, t, thrown out of contact (as seen at Pos. 1, Fig. 5) and the slide L, in its normal position, or with its notches coincident with those in the post A, to cause the hammer to descend, or fall and produce the requisite blow, the operator puts his foot on the foot plate, Z, of the treadle, ZL, and presses it downward, which causes the sliding ratchet bar, L, to descend in its slot in the post, A, until its notches coincide with the straight portions between notches of post, and its straight portions, with notches in post A; thus the pawls, w, fw, are wedged forward out of the retaining notches and a continuous straight surface or face presented to them in the descent of the hammer; when the hammer strikes the base block the operator releases the treadle, ZL, and the bar, L, is pulled up by the spring, c, into its natural position again, (the notches coinciding with those in the post) there is only one of these bars to each hammer, though there are two pawls, fw, w, but as has been already mentioned, the two pawls are fast on one shaft, o, so that if one be retained in a plane coinciding with the face of the post, A, during the descent of the hammer, the other can not be affected by the notches adjacent to it; the manner in which the release of the pawls, w, from the retaining notches, and their continuance in a vertical plane free from the notches, N, during the descent of the hammer is effected, will be readily comprehended by reference to Fig. 9, which represents a section through the post, A, and bar, L, with the notches of the bar coinciding with the notches in the post and also the bar L drawn in red lines in a lower position, relatively to the post or as if depressed by the operator as herenbefore described; by this illustration it will be readily seen that the bar when depressed has its straight portions coincident with the notches of the bar and vice-versa, whereby a plane is presented to the pawls, w, against which they slide freely downward during the descent of the hammer. After the blow is struck the operator again releases the bolt, t, from the latch, n, when the hammer ascends as before until it arrives at a point where it is thrown out of engagement by the shoe, Z, and where it is retained until desired to descend. It will be understood that the shoe, Z, may be slid along on the straps, K, and secured at any required point to produce any required blow.

It is sometimes desirable to give with the same hammer two blows in quick succession, the first heavy, the second light; this is accomplished by means of the angle lever, 7b2, in the following manner: Suppose the heavy and first blow to have just been struck, the operator releases the bolt, t, from its retaining latch as before described when the hammer begins to reascend directly the pawls, w, have clicked into the retaining notch from which it is desired the hammer should fall; the operator pulls down the lower end of the lever, Zz?, by taking hold of the chain which causes the upper end of said lever to move forward against the pin, g2, and push the bolt out of engagement with the strap, and into engagement with the retaining latch, n. The operator then depresses the treadle, h, as before described; when the hammer again descends producing the second, and light blow.

Though I have described my improved drop as constructed with four posts arranged in arectangle, and four hammers, it is obvious that the object of my invention may be attained in the use of one, or more hammers when operated in the manner herein described, and I wish to be understood as considering the features of my invention equally tenable whether used with one drop hammer, or a series in one machine. I have adopted and found to give satisfaction in practical use the form of machine herein described and illustrated in the drawings, but do not wish to conne myself to the special devices shown, separately or to any peculiar form of machine or number of hammers.

I am aware that Letters Patent of the United States were granted to me August 16th 1853 for a compound screw drop the frame work of which is similar to that herein described, and in which are four hammers arranged in a manner similar to that in my improved machine; but do not consider my present invention as possessing any similarity to said patented machine. Among the most important advantages of my present invention over my former, may be named the following, viz.:-the lifting apparatus consisting simply of a strap or bar, the machine may be readily constructed to raise the hammer to a great height, (in my former machine the length of the screw shaft is necessarily limited.) In consequence of the method adapted for raising the hammers, the mechanism in the hammer itself becomes much simpliied;-further, the great simplicity of the mechanism for disengaging the hammer from the lifting apparatus, and manner of supporting the hammer at any required height, the capability of immediate change in the blow, produced by simply shifting the disengaging shoe on the lifting strap, and the facility afforded for producing alight blow in quick `succession with a heavier one by means of the hand device fordisengaging the hammer from the lifting strap.

Having fully described my improved drop and not wishing to conine myself to the exact mechanical devices in detail, what I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. The method of elevating the drop or hammer by means of a lifting strap having a vertical reciprocating motion, in combination with the retaining notches and pawls, and the spring bolt, or their equivalents, substantially as described.

2. I also claim the method of disengaging the drop or hammer from the elevating strap by means of a wedge shaped shoe, on the strap which strikes the end of the bolt, or its equivalent, and forces it clear of the strap, and into engagement with the retaining latch, substantially as specified.

3. I also claim the employment of an adjustable, disengaging shoe, in combination with the series of retaining notches, and pawls, essentially as described, whereby the hammer may be readily disengaged from the lifting straps, and retained, at any desired height, from the base block.

4. I also claim` the sliding ratchet bar, in combination with the retaining notches, in the posts, and retaining pawls on the hammer; when arranged and operating substantially as described for the purposes set forth.

5. And finally I claim in combination with the bolt which forms the connection with the elevating strap and with the retaining latch which holds the slide when disengaged from the elevating strap, or their equivalents, the employment of the angular lever, or its equivalent, by which the hammer may be readily disengaged from the elevating strap by the operator; at any required point in the ascent of the hammer.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, this fourteenth day of September 1858.

E. K. ROOT. lVitnesses It. D. HUBBARD, S. S. ROGERS. 

